Local Tiny House Family In The Bay Area In TOP 25 OF SoFi $200K Contest

A young family in the San Francisco Bay Area is living in a tiny house on wheels with a toddler.
Their story has become an inspiration for many on social media, and they’re asking for local support as they compete as finalist in the #WhyISofi $200k contest.

Last March, Micah, Jana and little Silas, known as @TinyHouseFamily on Instagram, made a giant move across the country from Birmingham, Alabama, following a career move to the West Coast. Micah’s position at the fast-growing tech company, Shipt , afforded them the opportunity to plant an office in San Francisco. However, with the Bay Area’s high cost-of-living, they had to get creative. A tiny house on wheels, a long-time dream of theirs, was the answer, offering the stability of home ownership, sustainable living, and flexibility that suites their evolving lifestyle.

“Winning this contest would seriously change our life. We’re asking our community to take three minutes, watch our story, and vote for our family. $150,000.00 would have a significant impact on Silas’ future and our ability to grow the tiny house community in the Bay Area,” said Micah Whitehead, co-owner of the Tiny House Family Instagram account. “We’re chasers and adventures. There is something about the freedom of living tiny that we’re drawn to. We see tiny living as a healthy lifestyle that allows for financial independence, freedom, and adventure during the prime years of our life. Our son will have incredible experiences throughout his childhood. The whole world is our backyard! And we hope to inspire others to achieve their own tiny house dreams.”

All in, their tiny house cost $63k including delivery and a solar package. Traditional financing options are not typically available for tiny home owners. With newer options like SoFi, personal loans and peer-to-peer lending make it possible.

SoFi is a modern nance company taking an unprecedented approach to lending and wealth management. Their members constantly push the limits of what life has to offer. Tiny House Family’s story has recently made the top 25 #WhyISoFi finalists' stories. The grand prize winner will be the video that gets the most votes and will win $150K in cash, and five runner-ups will score $10K each.

“This money would change our lives and help us realize dreams that would otherwise take years. We want to build community and help others find ways of achieving alternative lifestyle choices,” said Jana, co-owner and mom to Silas.

Check out their video and vote to help us be the favorite by November 11, 2016 at 11:59 pm ET. To follow more of Micah, Jana and Silas’ adventures, follow them on Instagram at @TinyHouseFamily.

About Our Tiny House

Our tiny house is 28 ft. long and 8.5 ft. wide. Including the 2 ft. cantilever off the second loft that extends the length over the hitch, our tiny house is the maximum size allowed without a special pull permit. We have a dark ebony stain on the exterior siding. The interior is shocking the opposite. Entering our double french doors, you see white painted shiplap everywhere. The inside feels
bright, airy and full of natural light from 14 windows. We have two lofts. Our master loft is a cozy dream with storage steps to make ascension with a toddler possible. The second is our “lounge loft” featuring a TV, some toys, and a ridiculous amount of pillows, but it’s accessed by ladder. Our kitchen is full and capable of normal family use. It features a glorious double sink with no dishwasher, it’s been a lifesaver. Our bathroom is just the right size. It features a stand up shower (no tub), a vanity cabinet with mirror, a washer/dryer combo unit with storage above and a Separett composting toilet.

About SOFI

SoFi is a modern nance company taking an unprecedented approach to lending and wealth management. We’ve replaced the impersonal, transactional experience with a long-term partnership, enabling our members to realize the full potential of their money, careers, and relationships. Our members constantly push the limits of what life has to offer. Whether looking to refinance their student loans, buy their dream home, or simply seek advice as they ascend in their careers, SoFi provides the best products and tools to match their ambitions and propel them to new levels of financial greatness. For more information, visit SoFi.com.